Footsie fumbles further into the red

The FTSE-100 Index has tumbled further into the red. In early trading the Footsie was off 53

The FTSE-100 Index has tumbled further into the red. In early trading the Footsie was off 53.8 points at 5843 with tech and telecoms stocks leading once more.

Investors in London were reacting to falls on both US markets on Friday, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq both lost ground.

Japan's Nikkei index also did little to bolster spirits in London, falling by more than 100 points overnight.

Little is expected to change in London ahead of Federal Reserve chairman Mr Alan Greenspan's US interest rate decision tomorrow.

READ MORE

A feeling among analysts that he may only cut rates by 25 basis points instead of 50 led to stock market losses ahead of the weekend.

Among the early fallers in London were Colt Telecom, which dropped 31p to 805p, while Marconi edged 11p lower to 360p.

Computer services group Logica fell 28p to 852p, while software firm Sage was off 7p at 263p.

Cable & Wireless was also down, 9½p to 434p, after splashing out £240 million on US internet service provider Digital Island.

It said the deal - ahead of its annual results on Wednesday - would dilute earnings in the short term.

In a quiet day for corporate results, retail group Kingfisher - who owns Dixons and B&Q - was up slightly, 1¼p to 444¾p, after reports it may sell and leaseback 180 of its Woolworths stores. Such a move could net the group £600 million.

PA